Pocket fill can



Jan. 26, 1960 E. s. MINARD 2,922,444

POCKET FILL cm FILLING MACHINE Filed Jan. 30, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. EVERETT S. MINARD ATTORNEY Jan. 26, 1960 E. s. MINARD POCKET FILL CAN FILLING MAcHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 30, 1956 INVENTOR. EVERETT S. MINARD ATTORNEY Jan. 26, 1960 E, s. MINARD PocxEI' FILL CAN FILLING MACHINE 4 Sheets-@eet 5 Filed Jan. 30, 1956 NVENTOR. EVERETT S. MINARD ATTORNEY Jan. 26, 1960 E. s. MINARD POCKET FILL CAN FILLING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR EVERETT S. MINARD ATTORNEY Filed Jan. 30, 1956 United States Patent O POCKET FILL CAN FILLING MACHINE Everett S. Minard, Laguna Beach, Calif., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Chemetron Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application January 30, 1956, Serial No. 562,285

15 Claims. (Cl. 141-142) The present invention relates to apparatus for filling containers such as cans, jars and the like, with uniform quantities of material such as food products of various kinds. It is particularly concerned with the filling of such containers with materials containing solids in suspension in a Huid, in pieces of such size as will not readily pass conventional valving devices without mutilation.

In filling such materials into containers of the character described it has become conventional to employ what are known as pocket fillers, in which the material passes from a reservoir into one end of a pocket which is then closed ott from the reservoir by a valving plate, after which the opposite end of the pocket is opened by a second valving plate to permit the contents of the pocket to be deposited in the container.

A number of deficiencies have been recognized in such pocket lillers. An empty pocket, when opened to the reservoir for relling, discharges air into the reservoir which divides into small bubbles which are entrained and held in the material contained in the reservoir and pass into the containers with it. Undesirable oxidation of the material is caused by this entrained air even after the lilled containers are sealed. It is difficult, furthermore to avoid the trapping of larger quantities of air in the pockets, particularly when the material in the reservoir is relatively thick in consistency, and this results in underlilling of the containers.

The present invention provides a pocket filler in which these deciencies are overcome and certain additional advantages are obtained. This is achieved, in summary, by the provision of a novel form of valving plate between the reservoir and its associated pockets whereby each pocket is opened to the reservoir at a gradual rate, in combination with means whereby the air contained in each pocket is simultaneously discharged without bubbling through the material contained in the reservoir. The same air-discharging means also functions to admit air to each pocket as its contents are discharged into a container, thus facilitating the emptying of the pocket and the uniform filling of sequentially presented containers. Novel valve operating mechanisms and product metering devices are also provided.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional View substantially on the line 1 1 of Figure 2 and illustrates in some detail one embodiment of apparatus for filling containers with various fluent materials containing chunks or diced pieces of solid substances;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 and illustrates the apparatus in further detail, including components for facilitating a substantially complete and uniform filling of the containers with the fluent material;

Figure 3 is a sectional view substantially on the line 3 3 of Figure 1 and illustrates in further detail various members including the members for conveying the containers to the positions for obtaining filling of the con taincrs;

2,922,444 Patented Jan. 26, 1960 lCe Figure 4 is a developed elevational view illustrating on a schematic basis and in section the disposition at a particular instant of various valve members controlling the flow of uent material from a reservoir into a plurality ot pockets, or compartments, and from the pockets, or compartments, into a plurality of containers;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of certain apparatus shown in `Figure 1 and shown schematically in Figure 4 and includes the reservoir and one of the pockets, or compartments, and also includes the valve members in the disposition for preventing a flow of the liuent material from the reservoir into the compartment but for providing a flow of the uent material from the compartment into a container;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary elevational view somewhat similar to that shown in Figure 5 and shows the valve members in position for preventing a ow of the liuent material from the reservoir into the container, certain members being broken away to show other members in further detail;

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view substantially on the line 7-7 of Figure 5 and illustrates certain additional features in the valve members shown in Figures 5 and 6 when the valve members have a disposition corrcsponding to that shown in Figure 5;

Figure 8 is an enlarged perspective view of certain control members shown in Figures 2 and 3 when the members have been actuated by a container moving into position to be filled, the control members being seen from a position above and to the left of the members; and

Figure 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the members shown in Figure S in the position of the members when no container has been presented for filling and is seen from a position corresponding to that shown in Figure 8.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, a casing 10 (best seen in Figure l) having an annular conguration is open at the top. The casing 10 supports a plurality of pedestals 12 at a spaced positions around its periphery. The pedestals 12 extend downwardly from the bottom of the casing 10 and have hollow configurations for receiving legs 14. The legs 14 are adapted to be attached to a floor 16 as by bolts 18 and are adapted to be adjustably positioned in the pedestals 12 as by screwing into tapped sockets in the pedestals. By adjusting the positions of the legs 14 in the pedestals 12, the casing 10 can become disposed in a horizontal plane at a desired height above the floor.

The casing l0 supports a casing 20 (Figure 1) in lateral relationship to the casing 10 as by bolts (not shown). The casing 20 is open at its Lipper end in a manner similar to that described above for the casing 10. A housing 22 is supported as by bolts 24 from the casing 20 in upwardly extending relationship to the casing. The housing 22 has a flange portion 26 at its upper end. The ange portion 26 is provided with a at upper face to support a platform 30. Containers 32 such as cans or bottles are adapted to rest on the platform 30 for movement along the platform in a manner which will be described in detail subsequently.

Actuating means generally indicated at 36 (best seen in Figures 8 and 9) are disposed on the platform 30. The actuating means 36 includes a table 33 which rests on the platform. The table 38 supports a pair of posts 40, which extend upwardly from the table at a pair of spaced positions. A shaft 42 is journalled in the posts 40 and is adapted to carry an upwardly extending pin 44 at its forward end. An arm 46 is supported by the shaft 42 at the rear end of the shaft 42 and is disposed to extend from the shaft in a direction substantially horizontally toward the left. The arm 46 in turn supports a rod 48 at its outer end. The rod 48 extends upwardly through a hole in a guide cam 50 and receives a cotter pin 52 at a position above the guide cam so as to be mechanically coupled to the guide cam. The rod 48 has a shoulder portion at a position beneath the guide cam 50 so as to produce an upward movement of the cam in accordance with its own movements in this direction.

At the end opposite from the rod 48, the guide cam 50 has a transversely disposed guide surface 53. The guide surface 53 extends rearwardly and toward the right in Figures 2, 3, 8 and 9 and preferably has a slightly concave configuration (best seen in Figures 8 and 9). In one positioning of the guide cam 50, the guide surface 53 is adapted to contact cam followers (Figures 2, and 6) 54 to produce the opening of valves which will be described in detail subsequently. The disposition of one of the cam followers 54 relative to the guide cam S0 at a particular instant is shown in broken lines in Figure 8.

The guide cam 50 is pivotable on a pin 56 at the rear end of the cam. The pin 56 is journalled into a pair of uprights 57 extending upwardly from the table 38 in spaced parallel relationship to each other. intermediate position between the front and rear ends of the guide cam 50, the cam engages one end of a spring 58. The other end of the spring 58 is attached to a pin 60 extending outwardly from the top of a stanchion 62. The stanchion 62 extends upwardly from the table 38.

A post 64 extends upwardly from the table 38 at a position near the right rear corner of the table. A collar 66 forming a part of a guide cam 68 tits on the post 64 for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane relative to the post. At a forward position, the guide cam 68 has a winged portion. The left wing of the guide cam 68 is provided with a hole 69 elongated in a rearwardly direction to receive the pin 44, which extends upwardly from the shaft 42.

The right wing of the guide cam 68 is shaped to forrn a working surface 70. The working surface 70 extends in a direction toward the right and toward the rear in Figures 8 and 9 and preferably has a slight concavity (best seen in Figures 8 and 9). The working surface of the guide cam 68 is adapted to be engaged by the containers 32 as the containers move past the working surface. This is best shown in Figure 8 and will be described in detail subsequently.

A plate 74 (Figure 1) is also supported by the bolts 24 and is disposed between the housing 22 and the casing 20 to support a shaft 76 at a bottom position on the shaft. The shaft 76 is also supported by the housing 22 at the upper end of the housing. The shaft 76 extends downwardly into the casing 20 and carries a bevel gear 78 at a position within the casing. The bevel gear 78 is in mesh with a bevel gear 80 carried by a shaft 82. The shaft 82 extends horizontally through the casing 20 and into the casing 10.

The shaft 76 carries a sleeve 86 (Figure l) at a position above the top of the housing 22. The upper surface of the sleeve 86 is flat to support a feed star 88 (Figures l, 2 and 3) in a substantially horizontal plane, the feed star 88 being supported on the sleeve as by bolts 90. The feed star 88 is supported above the platform 3) at a vertical distance corresponding to an intermediate position along the height of the containers 32. The feed star 88 has a substantially annular configuration.

The feed star 88 is shaped to provide a plurality of pockets 92 (Figures 2 and 3) at spaced positions along the periphery of the plate. Each of the pockets 92 has an annular configuration at a radially interior position in the pocket. This annular conguration is indicated at 94 in Figure 3 and is provided with a diameter corresponding substantially to the diameter of the containers At an 32. The pockets 92 flare outwardly at their peripheries as at 96 to facilitate the movement of the containers 32 into the pockets.

As shown by an arrow in Figure 3, the feed star 88 is adapted to rotate in a counterclockwise direction and to receive the containers 32 at a position near the right end of the feed star. The containers 32 are adapted to be carried by a chain belt 98 (Figure 3) or other type of endless conveyor system to a position for transfer to the feed star 88. The chain belt 98 is adapted to be driven by a shaft 100.

The movements of the containers 32 on the chain belt 98 are guided by a pair of rails 101 and 102 (Figures 2 and 3). The guide rails 101 and 102 are supported as by brackets 103 (Figure 1), which are attached to the platform 30. The guide rails 101 and 102 are dis posed above the platform 30 at vertical levels corresponding to the level of the feed star 88. The guide rail 101 extends rearwardly in a substantially linear direction to a position near the feed star 88, as may be best seen in Figures 2 and 3. The guide rail 102 also has a linear portion which is substantially parallel to the guide rail 101 at a distance from the rail 101 slightly greater than the diameter of the containers 32. The guide rail 102 also has a second portion extending annularly from the linear portion at a distance from the interior positions of the pockets 92 corresponding substantially to the diameter of the containers 32.

A housing 104 (Figure 1) is provided with a flange portion 106 at the bottom of the housing. The flange portion 106 on the housing 104 is adapted to be secured to the casing 10 as by screws 108. The flange portion 1156 has a pair of bosses 110 at a pair of diametrically opposed positions. stanchions 112 are in turn supported as by bolts on the bosses 110. The stanchions 112 extend upwardy and are outwardly as they extend upwardly. At a position almost directly above the bosses 110, the stanchions 112 have flat table portions for supporting the platform 30 at a vertical level corresponding to the support provided by the flange portion '26 of the housing 22.

Uprights 114 extend upwardly from reinforced portions provided at upper peripheral positions in the stanchions 112. At an intermediate position along its vertical length, one of the stanchions 112 supports an arm 116 which holds a cam 118 (best seen in Figure 2). The horizontal thickness of the cam 118 gradually widens in a direction corresponding to the direction of angular movement of the containers 32 such that the cam has a wedge-shaped configuration. The cam 118 is provided at its outer end with a working surface 120 which is disposed in contiguous relationship to the containers 32 as the containers move in an angular path past the cam. The working surface 120 on the cam 118 extends relative to the angular movements of the containers 32 in a transverse direction having a component pointing radially outwardly.

A support plate 122 (Figures 1 and 2) extends between the uprights 114 at positions near the tops of the uprights. The support plate 122 is xedly positioned on the Uprights 114 as by screws and lock washers. At intermediate positions between the uprights 114, the support plate 122 holds a pair of support bars 124 (best seen in Figures 1 and 4). The bars 124 extend downwardly through holes in the support plate 122 and have threaded portions at positions near the support plate to receive lock nuts 126. By adjusting the positioning of the lock nuts 126, the vertical disposition of the support bars 124 relative to the support plate 122 can be correspondingly varied.

The support bars 124 have flange portions at their lower ends for supporting as by bolts 128 a valve plate generally indicated at 130 (Figures 1 and 2). The valve plate 130 is disposed in a substantially horizontal plane and is provided with a substantially annular configuration. The valve plate 130 has a first portion 132 (best seen in Figure 2) of substantially constant radial width. The portion 132 has an angular length of approximately 180 degrees and extends through an angular distance substantially between the support bars 124.

At a position diametrically opposite to the cam 118, the portion 132 has an upwardly extending lip portion 134 (best seen in Figure 2) for reasons which will be described in detail subsequently. The lower surface of the portion 132 is grooved along `substantially its entire angular length to form a vent 136 (Figures 2, 4 and 5). The vent 136 communicates with tubes 137 (best seen in Figure 4) extending upwardly from the plate 130 to a position above the upper level of a filling material 138 in an annular container 139.

At a position near the cam 118, the horizontal width of the valve plate 130 becomes narrowed to form a control portion 140. Thus the inner edge of the valve plate 130 in the region of the control portion 140 defines a line of gradually increasing radial distance from the center of rotation of the reservoir 139, and the horizontal width of the control portion 140 on the valve plate 130 at the end near the cam track 136 is slightly less than the mouth openings of compartments 141 (Figures 2, 4 and 5) disposed below the valve plate 130. The control portion 140 of the valve plate 130 also has an angular length of approximately 180 degrees.

As the control portion 140 of the valve plate 130 extends through the angular length of approximately 180 degrees, the control portion tapers inwardly in the horizontal direction such that the control portion covers only a small portion of the mouth openings in the compartments 141 at the end diametrically opposite the cam 118. The lower surface of the control portion 140 is grooved along substantially half of its angular length to form a vent 142 (Figures 2 and 4). The vent 142 extends from a position contiguous to the cam 118. Tubes 144 (Figures 1 and 4) communicate with the vent 142 and extend upwardly from the control portion 140 of the valve plate 130 to a position above the filling material 138 in the reservoir 139.

A shaft 146 (best seen in Figure 1) is disposed within the housing 104 for support at opposite ends of the housing and for rotation relative to the housing. The shaft 146 extends through the housing 104 into the casing 10 and carries a bevel gear 148 at a position within the casing. The bevel gear 148 is in mesh with a bevel gear 150 carried by the shaft 82 such that the shaft 146 rotates in an opposite direction with respect to the rotation of the shaft 76. At its upper end, the shaft 146 carries a sleeve 152. The sleeve 152 is provided with a lower rim portion 154 having an annular configuration and a at upper surface. The sleeve 152 is also provided with an annular shoulder portion 156 at an intermediate position in the vertical direction. The shoulder portion 156 is provided with a diameter less than that of the rim portion 154 and is provided with a tat upper surface for reasons which will be described in detail subsequently.

An extension plate 160 is supported on the rim portion 154 of the sleeve 152 as by screws 162. The extension plate 160 in turn carries a feed star 164 (Figures l and 3), which is secured to the extension plate as by screws 166. The feed star 164 has a plurality of pockets 168 (Figure 3) at spaced positions along its periphery. Each of the pockets 168 has an annular configuration at an interior position, as indicated at 170. The diameter of the annular portions 170 corresponds substantially to the diameter of the containers 32. Each of the pockets 168 also flares outwardly at its periphery as indicated at 172, so as to facilitate the movement of the containers 32 into and out of the pockets. As will be described in detail subsequently, the feed stars 88 and 164 rotate in synchronization such that the pockets 168 in the feed star 164 meet the pockets 92 in the feed star 88 to 6 obtain a transfer of the containers 32 from the feed star 88 to the feed star 164.

A guide rail 174 (best seen in Figure 3) is associated with the feed star 164 to maintain the containers 32 in fixed positioning within the pockets 168. The guide rail 174 is txedly positioned on the platform 30 as by brackets corresponding to the bracket 103 in Figure l. The guide rail 174 has a first portion which extends on an annular basis around the feed star 164 through a distance of approximately degrees from a position contiguous to the guide cam 68. The guide rail 174- also has a second portion which extends longitudinally toward the right at a rearward position on the platform 30. A guide rail 176 is in parallel with the linear portion of the guide rail 174 at a distance in front of the guide rail 174 slightly greater than the diameter of the containers 32. The guide rail 174 cooperates with the guide rail 176 to guide the movements of the containers 32 along a chain belt 178 or other type of endless conveyor system. The chain belt 178 normally forms a part of coupled equipment such as machinery for closing the containers 32. A collar 180 is mounted on the shoulder portion 156 of the sleeve 152 as by screws which extend through a ange portion on the collar. The collar 180 extends upwardly from the shoulder portion 156 of the sleeve 152 and has at its upper end a flange portion which is attached as by screws to the reservoir 139. The reservoir 139 is adapted to hold the uent material 138, which may be a liquid. Preferably, the iluent material 138 may be formed from chunks, pieces or particles of solid material sometimes disposed within a liquid and at other times not disposed within a liquid. A plurality of ports 184 (best seen in Figure 5) are provided in the bottom of the reservoir 139 at spaced intervals near the periphery of the reservoir.

As described previously, the valve plate 130 operates to control the flow of the tluent material 138 into the compartments 141. The compartments 141 are disposed below the ports 184 and are defined by annular tubes 186 (best seen in Figure 5). The tubes 186 extend at their upper ends into the ports 184 of the reservoir 139 and have lip portions which are attached to the bottom wall of the reservoir 139 as by screws 188 (Figure 6). Cavities 190 (best seen in Figure 5) are formed at intermediate positions in the compartments 141 in the vertical direction. The cavities 190 are defined by annular nipples 192 which extend outwardly from the tubes 186 in a substantially horizontal direction. The nipples 192 are charnfel'ed as at 196 and are provided with threaded portions at their outer peripheries to receive caps 194. The caps 194 have tapped inner walls and have knurled outer surfaces to facilitate manual gripping.

Retainers 198 (Figure 5) are adapted to tit within the caps 194. The retainers 198 are provided with spool portions chamfered at their outer ends to be positioned in flush relationship to the chamfered surfaces 196 on the nipples 192. The retainers 198 are also provided with stern portions which extend inwardly into the cavities 190. The stem portions of the retainers 198 are threaded along their periphery so that plugs 202 and lock nuts 204 can screw on the stem portions. The plugs 202 can be adjustably positioned on the stem portions of the retainers 198 so as to vary the distance in which the plugs extend into the compartments 141. The lock nuts 204 screw on the stem portions of the retainers 198 to become positioned in abutting relationship to the plugs 202 for the retention of the plugs in tixed positioning on the stem portions. In this way, adjustments can be obtained in the volume of the filling material which can be stored in the compartments 141.

The tubes 186 taper inwardly at their lower ends to form mouth portions 206 (best seen in Figures 5 and 7). At positions below the tapered portions, the tubes 186 are shaped to form runner portions 208. The runner portions 208 are defined by a pair of parallel horizontal walls integrated by an outer side wall. Leaf springs 210 (Figures 6 and 7) are supported at one end by the lower walls cf the runner portions 208. As may be best seen in Figure 6, `the leaf springs 210 are disposed in a longitudinal direction and are adapted to contact the lower walls of the runner portions 208 at an intermediate position. The leaf springs 210 are raised from the lower walls of the runner portions on both sides o-f the intermediate position to press the valve plates 212 against the upper surfaces of the runner portions.

Valve plates 212 (Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7) are slidable in the runner portions 208 of the tubes 186. The valve plates 212 are provided with bossed portions at intermediate positions along their lengths, and holes 216 are provided in a vertical direction in the bossed portions. The holes 216 have a radius corresponding to the radius of the mouth portions 206 in the tube 186. At one end, the valve plates 212 have holes for receiving the threaded Shanks of suppon pins 218. The cam followers 54 (also shown in Figure 8) are carried by the pins 218 for actuation by the guide surface 53 of the cam S0. The movements of the cam followers 54 in one direction are limited by the upper walls of the runner portions 208, as may be best seen in Figure 5.

The casings 10 and 20, the housings 22 and 104 and the sleeves 86 and 152 are included in a base assembly which has been described and claimed in co-pending application Serial Number 559,229 tiled January 16, 1956 by me. As described in co-pending application Serial Number 559,229, the base assembly has the advantage that it can he used for different types of filling operations. For example, the base assembly can be used without modification to support apparatus for filling containers with fluent material by a flow of the fluent material through the operation of gravity or by the flow of the material through the operation of gravity with the aid of pistons. These types of filling operation have been described in detail in co-pending application Serial Number 559.229.

The base assembly can also be used without modification to support apparatus for filling containers with fluent material by initially disposing the containers at a high level and subsequently lowering the containers as the fluent material flows into the containers. In this type of filling operation, pistons are also used to facilitate the flow of the fluent material. This type of filling operation has also been described in detail in co-pending application Serial Number 559,229.

The base assembly including the casings 10 and 20, the housings 22 and 104 and the sleeves 86 and 152 are used in this invention to support apparatus for performing a lling operation somewhat different from the operations described in co-pending application Serial Number 559,229. The apparatus constituting this invention is especially adapted to obtain the filling into cans of solid pieces of material in various sizes. For example,

the filling material may be formed from chunks, diced pieces or particles of a solid substance. The pieces of material may sometimes be disposed in a liquid and at other times may not be disposed in a liquid.

In the operation of the apparatus constituting this invention, the containers 32 are transferred from the input station (not sho-wn) to the chain belt 98 (Figure 3). The chain belt 98 is rotated by the shaft 100 to move the containers 32 toward the feed star 88. As shown by the arrow in Figure 3, the feed star 88 rotates in a counterclockwise direction such that successive pockets 92 become disposed in contiguous relationship to the chain belt 98. The feed star 88 is rotated since it is attached to the sleeve 86, which is rotated with the shaft 76 through the bevel gears 78 and 88.

As the pockets 92 on the feed star 88 move into contiguous relationship with the chain belt 98, the containers 32 become transferred into the pockets for movement with the feed star. The transfer of the containers 32 into the pockets 92 is facilitated by the flared oonfiguration of `the pockets at their periphery as at 96. When the containers 32 become transferred into the pockets 92 of the feed star 88, they are maintained in substantially fixed position within the pockets because of the operation of fthe feed star 88. The containers 32 are positioned on the platform 30 during their movements with the feed star 88.

The shaft 82 not only drives the feed star 88 but also drives the feed star 164. The shaft 82 drives the feed star 164 through the bevel gears 150 and 148, the shaft 146 and the sleeve 152, the feed star 88 being supported by the sleeve 152. Since the shaft 82 drives both of the feed stars 88 and 164, the feed star 164 rotates in synchronization with the feed star 88. This causes the pockets 168 in the feed star 164 to become aligned with the pockets 92 in the feed star 88 as lthe feed stars rotate. Because of this alignment and because of the configurations respectively provided for the pockets 168 and 92 in the feed stars 88 and 164, the containers 32 become transferred from the pockets 92 to the pockets 168.

The feed star 164 rotates in a clockwise direction and carries the containers 32 along the platform. The containers 32 are iixedly positioned within the pockets 168 in the feed star 164 because of the action of the guide rail 174 (Figures 2 and 3). After `the containers 32 have moved with the feed star 88 through an angular distance slightly greater than 180 degrees, the containers reach the chain beit 178. The containers 32 become transferred to the chain belt 178 because of the configuration of the pockets 168 in the feed star 164 and because of the movements of the chain belt. The containers then move with the chain belt 178 to coupled machinery such as machinery for closing the containers 232.

The containers 32 become filled during their movement on the platform 30 under the guidance of the feed star 164. The containers 32 become filled by the iiow of fluent material from the compartments 141 into the containers. The material flows from the compartments 141 into the containers during the angular movements of the compartments and the reservoir 139. The compartments 141 and the reservoir 139 move in an angular direction since they are supported by the collar 180, which is in turn mounted on the sleeve 152 rotatable with the shaft 146.

In order to obtain the flow of the fluent material 138 from the compartments 141 into the containers 32, the material must first flow from the reservoir 139 into the compartments. The flow of the fluent material 138 into the compartments 141 occurs during the movements of the compartments under the control portion 140 of the valve plate 30. As the compartments start to move under the control portion 140 of the valve plate 130, the ports 184 in the bottom of the reservoir 139 become gradually opened. This may be best seen in Figures 2 and 4.

As may be seen in Figures 2 and 4, the positions of the compartments 141 at a particular instant are somewhat schematically illustrated. These positions are designated by successive alphabetical letters from A to L, inclusive. The fluent material 138 starts to flow into the compartments at a position near that designated as H in Figures 2 and 4. The fluent material 138 starts to flow into the compartments 141 at this position since the control portion 140 is sufficiently narrow at this position to open a small portion of the ports 184.

As the reservoir 139 and the compartments 141 continue to move in an angular direction, the ports 184 become gradually opened. This may be seen by a comparison of the successive positions H," 1, 1, K and L in Figures 2 and 4. As may be best seen in Figure 4, the fluent material 138 continues to flow into the compartments 141 during the time that the ports 184 associated with the compartments are becoming opened. The fluent material flows on a uniform and regulated basis into the compartments 141 because of the gradual opening of the ports 184. This causes a substantially constant amount of the fluent material 138 to flow into the compartments 141.

The even flow of the fluent material 138 into the compartments 141 is facilitated in other ways. The even llow of the fluent material 138 is facilitated by the provision of the vent 142 in the bottom of the control portion 140 of the valve plate 130. Because of the vent 142, air is able to escape upwardly from the compartments 141 through the vent as the fluent material llows into the compartments. The air escapes upwardly through the vent 142 and the tubes 144 to a position above the upper level of the fluent material 138 in the reservoir 139. By providing for an escape of the air in the compartments, the pressure in the compartments is maintained substantially constant during the llow of the fluent material into the compartments such that an even flow of the lluent material is obtained.

The uniform llow of the iluent material 138 into the compartments 141 is also facilitated by the action of other members. For example, as the fluent material 138 in the reservoir 139 moves past the lip portion 134 extending upwardly from the valve plate material 138 into the compartments 141 is also facilitated by the action of other members. For example, as the lluent material 138 in the reservoir 139 moves past the lip portion 134 extending upwardly from the valve plate 130, the fluent material becomes stirred. This prevents the solid particles or pieces in the fluent material from settling. Because of this, a substantially uniform mixture is maintained for ilowing into the compartments 141. This is especially important when the lluent material 138 is formed from a mixture of solid particles or pieces and a liquid.

As the containers 32` reach the position L during their angular movement with the feed star 164, the containers start to engage the working surface 70 of the cam 68. Because of this engagement, the containers 32 exert a force against the cam 68 to pivot the cam on the pin 64 in a clockwise direction to a position similar to that shown in Figure 8. The pivotal force exerted by the con tainers 32 on the cam 68 increases during the movements of the containers along the working surface 70 of the cam 68 because of the configuration of the working surface.

Upon a pivotal movement of the cam 68 in a clockwise direction to a position similar to that shown in Figure 8, the cam rotates the pin 44 in a counterclockwise direction on the shaft 42 to a position similar to that shown in Figure 8. Since the pin 44 is mounted on the shaft 42, it drives the shaft in a counterclockwise direction and causes the shaft to drive the arm 46 downwardly to a position similar to that shown in Figure 8. As the arm 46 moves downwardly, it carries the rod 48 downwardly. The rod 48 in turn acts upon the cam 50 to pivot the cam downwardly on the pin 56.

When the cam 50 pivots downwardly upon the pin 56 as a pivot, it causes the guide surface S3 of the cam to move to a vertical level corresponding to that of the cam followers 54. Because of this relationship, the positions of the cam followers 54 become adjusted in accordance with the configurations of the guide surface 53 as the cam followers 54 move along the working surface. As may be best seen in Figure 2, the guide surface 53 of the cam 50 is provided with a configuration to move the cam followers radially inwardly as the earn followers move along the cam.

Since the cam followers 54 are attached to the valve plates 212 as by the pins 218, the valve plates move with the cam followers. This causes the valve plates to slide radially to a position similar to that shown in Figure 5. In the position of the valve plate 212 shown in Figure 5, the hole 216 in the valve plate becomes aligned with the mouth portions 206 in the tubes 186. When this occurs,

the fluent material 138 in the compartments 141 is able to llow into the containers 32 since the containers are disposed directly below the mouth portions 206 in the compartmcnts, as may be best seen in Figure 4.

As may be best seen in Figure 2, the valve plates 212 are moved into a position for filling the containers 32 very shortly after the compartments 141 and the containers have moved to a position under the portion 132 of the valve plate 130. This may be seen by a cornparison of the positioning of the valve plates 212 at positions A and B in Figure 4. After the valve plates 212 have moved into position for obtaining a flow of the lluent material 138 into the containers 32, they remain in this position during the rest of the time that the containers are moving under the portion 132 of the valve plate 130. This may be seen in Figures 2 and 4 by comparing the positioning of the valve plate at stations B, C, D, and F.

During the llow of the iluent material from the compartments 141 into the containers 32, a vacuum would be produced in the compartments. This vacuum might tend to retard the flow of the fluent material into the containers. This vacuum is eliminated by providing the vent 135 and the tubes 137, which operate to provide for an entrance of air into the compartments as the fluent material leaves the compartment.

After the uent material 138 has llowed from the compartments 141 into the containers 32, the cam followers 54 reach the cam 118. The working surface 120 on the cam 118 operates to produce a movement of the cam followers 54 in a radially outward direction. The valve plates 212 follow the movements of the cam followers 54 and move to a position similar to that shown in Figure 6. In the positioning of the valve plates 212 shown in Figure 6, the holes 216 in the valve plates are shifted in position with respect to the mouth portions 206 of the tubes 186. This prevents any fluent material from flowing into the containers 32.

At the same time that the fluent material 138 is prevented from flowing into the containers 32 the fluent material cannot flow into the compartments 141 from the reservoir 139. This may be best seen in the positions G in Figures 2 and 4. Subsequent movements of the reservoir 139 and the compartments 141 cause the ports 184 to become gradually opened, as described fully above and shown in positions H to L, inclusive, in Figures 2 and 4.

The movements of the valve plates 212 can occur only under the control of the cams 50 and 118. The movements of the valve plates 212 are controlled only by the cams 50 and 118 even though the sliding surfaces of the plates may become gradually worn by continued frictional movements on the surfaces of the runner portions 208 at the bottom of the tubes 186. Control over the movements of the valve plates 212 is maintained by the cams 50 and 118 since the leaf springs 210 act to press the valve plates against the upper surface of the runner portions 208. In this way, the valve plates 212 cannot become loose in the runner portions 208 of the tubes 186 with continued usage so as to become indiscriminately shifted from its proper positions.

The exact amount of the fluent material 138 llowing into the containers 32 can be controlled by adjusting the positioning of the plugs 202 (Figure 5). The plugs 202 can be quickly and easily made available for ad justrnent by unscrewing the caps 194 from the threaded portions of the nipples 192 and by subsequently removing the retainers 198 from the cavities 190. The plugs 202 can be subsequently adjusted on the stem portions of the retainers 198, and the lock nuts 204 can be screwed on the stem portions into abutting relationship with the plugs. The retainers 198 can then be reinserted into the cavities and the caps 194 can be screwed back on the nipples 192.

By adjusting the positions of the plugs 202 on the stem portions of the retainers 198, variations can be obtained in the distance by which the plugs project into the compartments 141. This produces corresponding variations in the volume in the container available to receive fluent material from the reservoir 139. Because of this, the sub-assembly disposed in the cavities 190 provides a sensitive adjustment in the amount of the fluent material 138 flowing into the containers 32. The amount of the fluent material flowing into the containers 32 remains substantially constant until the positioning of the plugs 202 on the stem portion of the retainers 198 becomes manually adjusted. The reason for this is that the position of the plugs 202 on the retainers 198 cannot become varied by the flow of the fluent material into or out of the compartments 141.

It may sometimes happen that containers 32 may not move along the chain belt 98 for transfer to the feed star S8 and for subsequent transfer from the feed star 88 to the feed star 164. When this occurs, no force is exerted against the working surface 70 of the cam 68 to pivot the cam in a clockwise direction. This causes the cam 68 to remain in the position shown in Figure 9. Since the cam 68 remains in an extreme position toward the right, it retains the pin 44 in an extreme clockwise position similar to that shown in Figure 9. This positioning of the pin 44 causes the arm 46 to be in a raised position because of the mechanical coupling between the pin and the arm through the shaft 42.

`dr'hen the arm 46 is in the raised position shown in Figure 9. it acts through the rod 48 to raise the cam 50 about the pin S6 as a fulcrum. Because of the raised disposition of the cam 50, the cam followers 54 are no longer able to engage the cam. This prevents the cam 50 from acting on the cam followers 54 to move the cam followers and the valve plates 212 into the position shown in Figure 5. Since the valve plates 212 remain in the position shown in Figure 6, the fluent material 138 in the compartments 141 are not able to flow out `of the compartments. In this way, the compartments 141 become opened for the flow of fluent material out of the compartments only when the containers 32 are positioned below the compartments to receive the fluent material.

There is thus provided apparatus for obtaining a uniform flow of fluent material into a plurality of sequentially presented containers. The apparatus operates to provide such a uniform flow by gradually increasing the opening to compartments so that the fluent material can flow evenly from a reservoir into the compartments. The apparatus then uses slidable valve plates to control the flow of the fluent material from the compartments into the containers which are disposed below the compartments. Novel means are also included for regulating the amount of the fluent material flowing into the compartments.

I claim:

l. ln combination for obtaining the flow into containers of a fluent material, a reservoir for holding the fluent material, compartment means associated with the reservoir for receiving fluent material from the reservoir, there being at least one port in the reservoir for obtaining a flow of the fluent material from the reservoir into the compartment means, means for obtaining a rotary movement of the reservoir and the compartment means and the containers to obtain a filling of the containers during such rotary movements, a valve plate disposed in contiguous relationship to the port in the reservoir and shaped to provide a gradual opening of the port during the rotary movement of the reservoir for a regulated flow of the fluent material from the reservoir into the compartment means, there being at least one port in the compartment means for obtaining a flow of the fluent material from the compartment means into the containers, vent means mounted on said valve plate adapted to extend above the fluent material in said reservoir to permit entrance of air into said compartments as said containers are filled and valve means including a plate slidable in a direction transverse to the flow of the fluent material to produce an opening of the port in the compartment means during the rotary movements of the container for a flow of the fluent material from the compartment means into the containers.

2. ln combination for obtaining the flow into containers of a fluent material, a reservoir for holding the fluent material, compartment means associated with the reservoir for receiving the fluent material in the reservoir, means for producing a rotary movement of the reservoir and the compartment means and the containers, there being a port in the reservoir for obtaining the flow of the fluent material from the reservoir into the compartment means, a valve plate disposed in association with the reservoir and the compartment means to control the fluent material flowing from the reservoir through the ports into the compartment means, the valve plate having a first portion of sufficient width to cover the ports for the prevention of any flow of the fluent material into the compartment means and having a second portion of tapering width to progressively open the ports for a regulated flow of the fluent material into the compartment means, there being a port in the compartment means for obtaining the flow of the fluent material from the compartment means into the containers, means including a sliding plate for producing an opening of the port in the compartment means during the rotary movements of the compartment means to obtain a flow of the fluent material from the compartment means into the containers, and means including cam means for producing sliding movements of the plate at particular times during the rotary movements of the reservoir and the compartment means to produce a flow of the fluent material from the compartment means into the containers a particular time after the filling of the compartment means with the fluent material.

3. In combination for obtaining the flow into containers of a fluent material, a reservoir for holding the fluent material, there being a plurality of ports disposed in the reservoir at spaced positions near the periphery of the reservoir, compartment means disposed below the ports in the reservoir for receiving the fluent material flowing through the ports, a valve plate disposed in contiguous relationship to the ports in the reservoir and shaped to close first ports in the plurality for the prevention at any one instant of the flow of the fluent material through some of the ports and to provide at that instant for progressively increasing openingsof the other ports for a regulated flow of the fluent material through these ports, vent means mounted on said valve plate adapted to extend above the fluent material in said reservoir to permit entrance of air into said compartments as said containers are filled, means for producing a rotary movement of the reservoir and the compartment means relative to the valve plate to provide progressive variations in the reservoir ports which are opened or closed, and means for providing for the flow of the fluent material from the compartment means into the containers.

4. In combination for obtaining the flow into containers of a fluent material, a reservoir for holding the fluent material, there being a plurality of ports disposed in the reservoir at spaced positions near the periphery of the reservoir, compartment means disposed below the reservoir for receiving the fluent material flowing through the ports and disposed above the containers to provide a flow of the fluent material from the compartment means into the containers, there being cavities in the compartment means, means including retainers and plugs adjustably positioned on the retainers to extend into the compartment means for providing an adjustment in the volume which can be occupied in the compartment means by the fluent material, means for providing a rotary movement of the reservoir and the compartment means, and

means including a valve plate disposed in cooperative relationship with the ports in the reservoir for providing a regulated flow of the fluent material into the compartment means during the rotary movements of the reservoir and the compartment means.

5. In combination for obtaining the flow4 into containers of a fluent material, a reservoir for holding the fluent material, compartment means disposed below the reservoir for receiving the fluent material flowing from the reservoir means for providing a rotary movement of the reservoir and the compartment means and the containers, means for providing for a regulated flow of fluent material from the reservoir into the compartment means during the angular movements of the reservoir and the compartment means, means including cavities in the compartment means and plugs adjustably posi tioned in the cavities for providing sensitive variations in the amount of the fluent material capable of flowing into the compartment means, a valve plate associated with the compartment means and slidable to a first position to provide for a flow of the fluent material from the compartment means into the containers and slidable to a second position to prevent a flow of the fluent material from the compartment means into the containers, and means including a cam disposed in the path of the containers for producing a sliding movement of the valve plate into the first and second positions during the rotary movement of the reservoir and the compartment means and the containers.

6. In combination for obtaining the flow into containers of a fluent material, a reservoir for holding the fluent material, there being a plurality of ports at spaced intervals in the bottom of the reservoir at positions near the periphery of the reservoir, compartment means disposed below the reservoir for receiving the fluent material flowing through the ports, means for rotating the reservoir and the compartment means, a valve plate disposed in association with the reservoir and the compart ment means to control the fluent material flowing from the reservoir through the ports into the compartment means, the valve plate having a first portion of suf`cient width to cover the ports for the prevention of any flow of the fluent material into the compartment means and having a second portion of tapering width to progressively open the ports for a regulated flow of the fluent material into the compartment means, and means for providing for a ow of the fluent material from the compartment means into the containers during the movement of the compartment means under the first portion of the valve plate.

7. In combination for obtaining the flow into containers of a fluent material, a reservoir for holding the fluent material, there being a plurality of ports at spaced intervals in the bottom of the reservoir at positions near the periphery of the reservoir, compartment means disposed below the ports in the reservoir for receiving the fluent material flowing through the ports, means for rotating the reservoir and the compartment means and the containers, means for providing a regulated flow of the fluent material into the compartment means during the rotation of the reservoir and the compartment means, there being cavities in the compartment means, means disposed in the cavities and including retainers and plugs adjustably positioned on the retainers and extending a variable distance into the compartment means for providing a control over the volume in the compartment means capable of receiving the fluent material, a valve plate associated with the compartment means for controlling the flow of the fluent material from the compartment means into the containers and slidable to a first position to provide such a llow of the fluent material and slidable to a second position to prevent such a ilow of the fluent material, means including a first cam coupled to the containers during the rotation of the containers for producing a sliding movement of the containers to their second position during the flow of the fluent material into the compartment means, and means including a second cam disposed to produce a sliding movement of the valve plate to its first position after the flow of the fluent materialV into the compartment means.

8. In combination for obtaining therflow into containers of a fluent material, a reservoir for holding the fluent material, there being a plurality of ports at spaced intervals in the bottom of the reservoir at positions near the periphery of the reservoir, compartment means disposed below the ports in the reservoir for receiving the fluent material flowing through the ports, means for rotating the reservoir and the compartment means and the containers, a first valve plate disposed in contiguous relationship to the ports in the reservoir to control the flow of the fluent material into the compartment means during the rotation of the reservoir and the compartment means, the valve plate having a first portion with a sufficient width to prevent the flow of the fluent material through the ports into the compartment means and having a second portion tapered gradually in width to provide a progressive opening of the ports for a regulated flow of the fluent material into the compartment means, a second valve plate disposed in contiguous relationship to the compartment means to control the flow of the fluent material from the compartment means into the containers during the rotation of the reservoir and the compartment means and the containers, the valve plate being slidable to a first position to provide for a flow of the fluent material into the containers and being slidable to a second position to prevent such a flow, and means for providing a sliding movement of the second valve plate to its second position during the control exerted by the second portion of the first valve plate upon the `flow of the fluent material into the compartment means and for providing a sliding movement of the valve plate to its first position during the control exerted by the second portion of the first valve plate upon the flow of the fluent material into the compartment means.

9. In combination with a reservoir for holding fluent material and at least one compartment disposed below the reservoir for receiving the fluent material flowing from the reservoir, a nipple extending from the compartment to provide a cavity in the compartment, a cap fitting on the nipple to close the cavity, a retainer disposed within the cavity and having a stem portion, and a plug adjustably positioned on the stem portion of the retainer and extending at least partially into the compartment to provide a control over the amount of the fluent material capable of flowing into the compartment.

l0. In combination with a reservoir for holding fluent material and at least one compartment disposed below the reservoir for receiving the fluent material flowing from the reservoir, a nipple extending from the compartments and having a hollow configuration to form a cavity, a cap fittingon the nipple to provide a closure for the cavity, a retainer having a head portion xedly positioned by the nipple and the cap and having a stem portion extending through the cavity toward the compartment, a plug adjustably positioned on the stem portion of the retainer and extending at least partially into the compartment to provide an adjustment in the effective volume of the compartment, and means disposed on the stem portion of the retainer to maintain the plug in fixed position on the retainer after its adjustment.

ll. In combination with a reservoir for holding fluent material and at least one compartment disposed below the reservoir for receiving the fluent material flowing from the reservoir and at least one container disposed below the compartment for receiving the fluent material flowing into the compartment, the reservoir and the compartment and the container being movable in an angular direction, a valve plate disposed between the compartment and the container and slidable to a first position for opening the compartment for the flow of the fluent material from the compartment into the container and slidable to a second position for closing the compartment against the flow of such material, means associated with the container during the angular movement of the container for moving the valve plate to its first position, means including a cam for returning the valve plate to the second position after the movement of the plate to the first position and after the flow of the fluent material from the compartment into the container, and means for maintaining a frictional force on the valve plate to prevent any undesirable movement of the plate.

12. In combination with a reservoir for holding fluent material and compartment means disposed below the reservoir for receiving the fluent material flowing from the reservoir and at least one container disposed below the compartment means for receiving the fluent material flowing into the compartment means, the reservoir and the compartment means and the container being movable in an angular direction; a runner portion provided at the bottom of the compartment means, a valve plate slidable in the runner portion, at least one spring member disposed within the runner portion and pressing against the valve plate to prevent the valve plate from sliding except upon the exertion of a force against the plate, means including a first cam operatively coupled to the container during the angular movement of the container and coupled to the valve plate to move the valve plate into an open position relative to the compartment for obtaining a flow of the fluent material from the compartment into the container, and means including a second cam operatively coupled to the valve plate during the rotation of the container to move the valve plate into a closed position relative to the compartment for preventing the flow of the fluent material from the compartment into the container.

13. In combination for obtaining the flow into containers of a fluent material, a reservoir for holding the fluent material, there being a plurality of ports at spaced intervals in the bottom of the reservoir at positions near the periphery of the reservoir, compartment means disposed below the reservoir for receiving the fluent material flowing through the ports, means for rotating the reservoir and the compartment means, a valve plate disposed in association with the reservoir and the compartment means to control the fluent material flowing from the reservoir through the ports into the compartment means, the valve plate having a first portion of sufficient width to cover the ports for the prevention of' any flow of the fluent material into the compartment means and having a second portion of tapering width to progressively open the ports for a regulated flow of the fluent material into the compartment means, vent means mounted on said valve plate adapted to extend above the fluent material in said reservoir to permit entrance of air into said compartments as said containers are filled, and means for providing for a flow of the fluent material from the compartment means into the containers during the movement of the compartment means under the first portion of the valve plate.

14. In combination for obtaining the flow into containers of a fluent material, a reservoir for holding the fluent material, there being a plurality of ports at spaced intervals in the bottom of the reservoir at positions near the periphery of the reservoir, compartment means disposed below the reservoir for receiving the fluent material flowing through the ports, means for rotating the reservoir and the compartment means, a valve plate disposed in association with the reservoir and the compartment means to control the fluent material flowing from the reservoir through the ports into the compartment means, the valve plate having a rst portion of suflicient width to cover the ports for the prevention of any flow of the fluent material into the compartment means and having a second portion of tapering width to progressively open the ports for a regulated flow of the fluent material into the compartment means, vent means mounted on said valve plate adapted to extend above the fluent material in said reservoir to permit the exhaustion of air as said compartments are filled with fluent material, and means for providing for a flow of the fluent material from the compartment means into the containers during the movement of the compartment means under the first portion of the valve plate.

l5. In combination for obtaining the flow into containers of a fluent material, a reservoir for holding the fluent material, there being a plurality of ports at spaced intervals in the bottom of the reservoir at positions near the periphery of the reservoir, compartment means disposed below the reservoir for receiving the fluent material flowing through the ports, means for rotating the reservoir and the compartment means, a valve plate disposed n association with the reservoir and the compartment means to control the fluent material flowing from the reservoir through the ports into the compartment means, the valve plate having a first portion of sufficient width to cover the ports for the prevention of any flow of the fluent material into the compartment means and having a second portion of tapering width to progressively open the ports for a regulated flow of the fluent material into the compartment means, vent means mounted on said valve plate adapted to extend above the fluent material in said reservoir to permit entrance of air into said compartments as said containers are filled, vent means mounted on said valve plate adapted to extend above the lluent material in said reservoir to permit the exhaustion of air as said compartments are filled with fluent material, and means for providing for a flow of the fluent material from the compartment means into the containers during the movement of the compartment means under the first portion of the valve plate.

References Cited in the file of, this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,453,840 Homquist May l, 1923 1,534,035 Steere Apr. 2l, 1925 2,616,606 Beehler Nov. 4, 1952 

